L O L A
or
The Thought and Speech of Animals BY
HENNY KINDERMANN

TRANSLATED BY AGNES BLAKE

WITH A CHAPTER ON THINKING ANIMALS BY
DR. WILLIAM MACKENZIE

METHUEN & CO. LTD.
36 ESSEX STREET W.C.
LONDON

First Published in this translation in 1922

PREFACE
It is hoped that this little work may assist in the search along the dark path upon which
many a poet and—in later times—many an investigator has set his feet. It would not
be worthy of us, whom science and technical ability has raised to so high an
intellectual position as explorers of Nature in every field—should we neglect anything
however trivial, deeming it as beneath our notice.
We know so much about all that lies around us: the manner in which the cells build
our bodies; how the juices circulate within the plant. We feel Nature to be ensouled, to
be a spiritual entity—and yet—it is only her corporeal life with which we are intimate.
Therefore let us now turn our eyes to new horizons, so that the human spirit may be in
a position to extend its search, doing so with knowledge and understanding. What is
imperative is that we should investigate to what degree the higher animals have been


PAGE

I. THOUGHT CAPACITY IN ANIMALS 1
The Dogs:
Rolf 5
Ilse 15
Heinz 18
Harras 20
Roland 22
II.
MY PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE
SUBJECT 23
III. LOLA 30
IV. BEGINNING THE TUITION 35
V. CONTINUED TUITION 43
VI. SENSE OF TIME 54
VII. CALCULATING TIME 59
VIII. SIGHT 63
IX. HER PERFECT SENSE FOR SOUND 70
X. SCENT 74
XI. SENSITIVENESS OF THE SKIN 79
XII. FORECASTING THE WEATHER 84
XIII. ADVANCED ARITHMETIC 89
XIV. WORKING WITH OTHER PERSONS 94
XV. THE QUESTION OF POSSIBLE INFLUENCE 97
XVI. ALTERATIONS AND MEMORY 102
XVII. THE CONNEXION OF IDEAS 110
XVIII. SPONTANEOUS REPLIES 113
XIX. WRONG AND UNCERTAIN ANSWERS 116

L
A
T
O
R LOLA

THOUGHT CAPACITY IN ANIMALS
It was in the year 1904 that the first experiments towards understanding an animal's
ability to think were brought into public light. Wilhelm von Osten then introduced his
stallion Hans II to all who seemed interested in the subject, and the most diametrically
opposed opinions were soon rife with regard to the abilities of this horse, to which von
Osten maintained he had succeeded in teaching both spelling and arithmetic.
The animal's mental activity was said to lie in a simple form of thinking, called into
being and intensified by means of a certain amount of instruction. Von Osten, who
had been a schoolmaster, had previously spent some fourteen years in testing the
intelligence of two other horses before he ventured to make his experiences public,
and the performances of these animals were not only remarkable, but of far-reaching
importance.
Hans I, aged twelve, died in 1905. He had never appeared in public, since his abilities
had been relatively modest. He had, nevertheless, been able to count up to five, as
well as carry out quite a number of verbal instructions. It was Hans II, however, that
convinced his master—as early as 1902—of his ability to comprehend a far greater
range of the German alphabet (when written), as well as to recognize a certain number
of colours.
Instances, denoting signs of evident reflection and memory, had led to Wilhelm von
Osten turning his thoughts towards this work of animal tuition. Public opinion was
divided; there were some who took the subject seriously and who were grateful to this

In 1908 Krall started work with two Arab stallions, Zarif and Mohammed. Both these
animals learnt to count by means of rapping out the numbers with their hoofs on a
board. One rap with the left fore-hoof always counted as "ten," while each rap with
the right fore-hoof counted as "one" only. The number twenty-five was, therefore,
composed of two left raps and five right ones. Spelling was similarly indicated by a
system of raps meant to express separate letters of the alphabet. A pause followed
after each number and the answers, being displayed to sight in the form of rows of
numbers, it sufficed to place the letter thus indicated beneath its respective number in
order to work out the reply. In the course of time these animals learnt the most varied
forms of arithmetic, even to the extent of extracting the most difficult roots. They had,
indeed, learnt to give answers which were, for the part, quite independent—thus
supplying the most unexpected insight into their actual thinking and feeling.
They also learnt the divisions of time, while every kind of experiment was undertaken
in order to test their reasoning capacity. All these attempts and the majority of results
were of such a nature that it became quite impossible not to realize that further
persistence along the same lines of inquiry was bound to lead to a confirmation of the
assurances already given by Karl Krall with regard to his pupils' "scholarship." Many
diverse opinions were heard, while the number of serious adherents to the cause as
well as that of its opponents increased. Special instances to which objection had been
taken on the score of supposed "influence," or of "signalling," were carefully
investigated by Krall in order to clear up any implied doubts. For this purpose a blind
horse, by name "Bertho," was taken in hand, proof being thus provided to confute the
mythical "code of signals" supposed to exist between master and pupil. Other tests
undertaken with Bertho were equally successful; Krall was, in fact, always eager and
willing to submit every objection brought forward to investigation, evident though it
was, that his own vast experience amply sufficed to tip the balance in his favour.
It would take us too long should we attempt to enter into any detailed discussion on
this point. Krall's book, "Denkende Tiere" ("Thinking Animals")
1
, may be

and thus on the first day did we question him up to a hundred, and with equal success.
After that verbal instruction became my daily occupation with the dog, in the same
way that one might teach an intelligent child, Rolf entering readily into everything,
indeed, we seemed to notice that his studies gave him pleasure. By degrees he became
able to solve his sums correctly in every form of arithmetic, finally even getting as far
as to extract two and three roots.
"We soon noticed that Rolf could also recognize letters and numerals. He read his own
name easily, for when anyone began to write it on the typewriter he instantly started
wagging his tail with delight. Our greatest desire now was to devise some means of
communication with him and I therefore began with the following simple explanation:
"'Rolf,' I said, 'if you could say yes and no, you would be able to talk to us; now, look
here! when you want to say yes, give us your paw twice, and if no, then give
it three times,' and I at once put this suggestion to an easy test, for I asked him if he
would like to be spanked—and he returned a decidedno! Then I asked him if he would
like some cake, to which a prompt and joyful affirmative was given. I saw therefore
that Rolf understood me, and upon this mutual basis I proceeded carefully to build. At
length his alphabet came into being—he having, with the exception of one or two
letters, put it together entirely by himself. It was constructed thus: I would ask him, for
instance, 'Rolf, how many taps with your paw are you going to give me for a?' and he
then gave me a number which I carefully noted down. To my inexpressible pleasure I
found that Rolf never forgot the numbers he had given, though I, to this day, must
have my notes to hand whenever Rolf wishes to tap out anything. It is also remarkable
that on a nearer investigation of his "alphabet" it becomes evident that the letters Rolf
requires least are made up of the highest numbers, whereas those to which he has
constant recourse have their equivalents among the lower numbers. The letters q, v, x,
Rolf never uses, as though he wished to prove to me that they are entirely useless and
superfluous. Rolf can recognize any money that is shown him and counts the flowers
in a bunch according to their colours and varieties. He can also differentiate the high
and the deep tones on any instrument, and he is even capable of telling the number of
tones struck in a chord. His memory is marvellous; he remembers names and numbers

hours' duration. These have taken place both in the presence of his kind and gifted
mistress and teacher, and also quite alone with his examiners. On every occasion of
his appearance notes have been taken as to the procedures, and on one occasion these
were even attested by a Notary. At such times, indeed, suggestions were not
infrequently made which might be said to exceed every justifiable limit; tests were
carried out prior to which the whole family had to vacate the house—carpets were
taken up, in order to hunt for electric wires; window-shutters were closed; cupboards
and premises searched, and sentinels posted—all this being tolerated by them with the
utmost good-humour! And in spite of all this upheaval, Rolf was almost without
exception ready with his replies! A fact that may well be set to his credit, when we
consider how sensitive and capricious animals are by nature. Of his examiners, it may
be said, that they covered themselves with confusion.
One public appearance brought him well-merited praise from a large circle of
acquaintances. So excellently did he acquit himself on this occasion that I should like
to place it on record.
"REPORT OF THE PUBLIC APPEARANCE OF THE SPELLING DOG ROLF
"By Professor H. F. Ziegler
"In order to collect subscriptions for the benefit of the Central Committee of War
Charities, as also for the Society responsible for the dogs for Army Medical Service,
Frau Dr. Moekel kindly consented to introduce her dog Rolf to the general public for
the first time.
"The performance took place in the Hall of the Casino at Mannheim, on the 11th of
May, 1914. Every seat in the Hall was taken.
"Professor Kraemer of Hohenheim opened the meeting; he dwelt on the usefulness of
these dogs—trained to perform tasks in which their intelligence accounted for no
small part. He alluded to the scientific importance of the new method of instruction by
means of spelling—a method first brought forward in connexion with the 'Thinking
Horses' belonging to Messrs. von Osten and K. Krall, and which had revealed hitherto
unexpected aspects of the animal soul.
"He further pointed out the total absence of any intentional or unintentional signalling,

manner that his mistress had to turn aside so as not to see it. But Rolf had become
obstinate and refused to name the thing, and he insisted on spelling out: 'nid, lol rgrd
der wisd man': he appeared to be 'geärgert' by the 'wüste man' (worried, or vexed by
the rough man)—and it may, indeed, have been that the dog sensed a certain distrust
of his mistress, or that, as is often the case with other dogs, that he was reluctant to
'show off' at the request of an entire stranger. Another time, should a similar trial be
contemplated, it would be wiser if the article to be named by the dog were—even if
handed up by the person desirous of making the test—shown him by someone with
whom he is familiar.
4

"Gradually Rolf became tired and rapped out: 'lol bd' (i.e. Rolf bett = Rolf to bed). A
pause was made during which some of Rolf's earlier communications were made
public. One was his reply as to why dogs do not like cats;
5
this ran: 'lol imr hd dsorn
wn sid kdsl, freigt fon wgn graln. Lol hd lib sis dsi di nid dud grdsn lol, abr, andr
hundl, di nid gnn ir.' ( = Lol is always angry when he sees cats, perhaps on account of
their claws: Lol loves sweet Daisy, who doesn't scratch Lol—but other dogs who do
not know her.)
"On 20 August, 1914, he rapped out a remark that referred to the war; it had, of
course, been difficult to explain thenature of war to him; the only way in which it
seemed at all possible to bring this to his understanding was by comparing it to the
scuffling and quarrelling of dogs—on which he observed: 'lol grn (i.e. gern = likes to)
raufn, mudr frbidn (i.e. Mutter verbieten = Mother forbids) abr franzos raufn mit
deidsn (i.e. Deutschen), mudr soln frbidn, (i.e. Mutter soll es verbieten = Mother
should forbid it), di nid dirfn (dürfen) raufe, is ganz wirsd fon di ( = They should not
be allowed to quarrel—it is very rough of them!).
"When the tests were resumed, Frau Dr. Moekel asked Rolf: 'What was it the man
called out in the street yesterday, when you were looking out of the window?' and the

sceptical.'"

Even as there are numerous horses capable of exercising similar abilities, so too, is
Rolf not a solitary example among dogs of his kind to profit by instruction. Indeed,
many of his descendants are receiving tuition under the guidance of different
instructors, and are giving a good account of themselves.
I will here add Professor Ziegler's Report:

"NEW REPORTS CONCERNING THE CALCULATING AND SPELLING DOG
6

"By Professor Ziegler
"The descendants of the dog Rolf that have been trained by Frau Dr. Moekel,
7
are now
full grown, and several of them have acquitted themselves with success. These are the
bitch Ilse, the two males, Heinz and Harras, and the bitch Lola, and I here purpose to
set down the latest information about these animals. It is of great importance that the
various persons under whose care these dogs were trained should—though
independently of each other—have made similar observations. All investigators have
reported the same astonishing memory, this affording the foundation for the dogs'
feats in reckoning and spelling.
"As these reports come from persons resident at different places, who neither know,
nor are in communication with each other, we here have the surest proof there is no
secret or trick involved in the matter."

"A. REPORT ON THE BITCH ILSE
"Concerning Ilse, of whom a clergyman is the owner, Dr. Oelhausen has already given
us some details in earlier numbers of our 'Communications'.
7

'essentials'! Then, observe the careful way in which she followed 'Mother's' advice—
only getting into her master's bed after he was well asleep!'
"Another incident, the details of which were supplied to him by Ilse's master, has also
been communicated to us by Dr. Oelhausen:
"'The clergyman had taken several of his village school-children for a walk, during the
course of which he asked them the names of the various trees. Among these was one
of which no child could tell the name. Ilse, his constant companion, was also of the
party, and she now pressed forward with such marked interest that her master put the
question to her too. At this Ilse started rapping and spelt out the correct name—the
tree was a larch. Her master was greatly surprised at this, suggested, however, that it
was probably less a matter of knowledge than of thought-transference, yet Dr.
Oelhausen queries whether the dog might not have heard the name mentioned on
some previous outing, and her master admits that this might have been the case.'
"We know the unfaltering tenacity with which the Mannheim dog, Rolf, remembers
names, so that it would seem more reasonable to ascribe the spelling of the name to
her excellent memory than to thought-transference, which would be quite as
inexplicable and incomprehensible.
"To the above I may add one more incident touching Ilse, which I received from Frau
Dr. Moekel on 25 May, 1915:
"'Ilse will prove valuable to us, for—though I have given her no instruction—her
master has achieved the very same results with her as I have with Rolf.
8
This is what
took place the other day: My dear husband went to see our reverend friend and having
arrived too early for Divine Service, seated himself on a high stone in the
neighbourhood of the little church and not far from the parsonage. Our friend saw my
husband and came out, accompanied by Ilse, to fetch him into the house. Ilse jumped
up against my husband, wagged her tail, licked him—and showed so much exuberant
affection that her master was quite surprised, and asked her:
"'Do you know this gentleman?' To which Ilse replied: 'No!' adding, as though as an

9"C. REPORT ON THE DOG HARRAS
"The third dog, Harras, came into the possession of Fräulein Eva Hoffmann, of
Schloss Berwartstein, near Bergzabern, and was instructed by her in spelling and
arithmetic with excellent results. This lady sends the following report:
"'From the very beginning his gift for arithmetic was quite remarkable. It was enough
to give him an idea of how to reckon, explaining to him the different forms of
arithmetic, for the dog to learn to give the right answers to easy sums immediately.
"'Fractions, decimals, cubes and the easier forms of equation, have been set him by a
stranger. With some coaching he was also able to master textual problems in this way,
giving eager and glad response in the form of "yes" and "no" when it came to
questioning him as to his having understood or not understood—liked or not liked the
subject. He usually did his sums with evident pleasure and with amazing celerity.
Spelling gave him more trouble. He could not even remember an alphabet he had
himself put together, and one I invented for him he only memorized after going over it
many times. He took no pleasure in putting words together and got tired very soon.
Some of his original remarks are that he recognized Sunday by the "dress" I had on;
also that he had dreamt of a "cow" (this after having seen one when we were out
walking), and so on.
"'Remarkable is his love of truth; should he have done anything that deserves
punishment, he approaches me with his head hanging down and a very dejected tail—
replying to the question as to whether he deserves a whipping with a reluctant "yes,"
and to a further enquiry as to whether he is ashamed of himself, he responds with an
emphatic "yes—yes—yes!"
"'But as is the case with children, example and precept are of far greater use than
corporeal punishment, although this cannot be neglected altogether. The axiom that
we evolve in accordance with the treatment meted out to us is as true in the case of an
animal as it is with that of a human being, and the more this is recognized and laid to

"'Roland could recognize money, stamps and bank-notes; he could count flowers and
bricks, and knew all the various colours and scents as well as count tones, recognize
melodies and tell the time.'
"I have not added my report made with reference to Lola to the above, the object of
my book being to make the reader acquainted with this dog."

MY PREVIOUS ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE SUBJECT
I cannot remember whether it was in 1912, or earlier, or possibly even later, that I
heard for the first time of Karl Krall's horses at Elberfeld. No details then reached me;
only just the generalities relative to their ability to count and spell. Of their fore-
runner, "der kluge Hans," I had as yet heard nothing. I had been a child when Hans
had made his début, so to speak; he had then vanished and the odium which had later
attached to his name was, therefore, unknown to me. I may say that I was totally
unprejudiced when the news of these horses reached and, indeed, as there was but
little information I did not interest myself further about the subject, although it had
made a momentary impression on me. A year or two later Professor Kraemer of
Hohenheim arrested public attention by his investigations respecting animals, and it
was there that I heard him deliver a lecture on the horses and also the dog Rolf of
Mannheim, hearing further details from him in conversation with my father
11
and
myself. What I then heard interested me immensely.
Professor Kraemer was a keen advocate of this subject, but I was chary of forming any
opinion without deeper investigations. The possibility of "self-expression" on the part
of animals did not seem to me to be beyond the bounds of belief, even though some
examples which were supposed to attest to high intelligence seemed to me a little
doubtful. I tried to get more information, but was hindered at the time owing to the
three years' course of studies I was then pursuing at the Hohenheim School of
Agriculture, so that I was neither able to try any experiments on my own part, nor
even to read Krall's great work on the subject. The entire question, therefore, remained

them to comprehend both language and gestures. For practical purposes horses would
seem to come next to dogs in the matter of intelligence—more particularly Arab
horses. An Arab talks to his horse as he would to a friend, and the sparkle in the eye of
this animal denotes its intelligence. In the matter of actual sensibility, the ox, the ass,
and other creatures have practically nothing in common with us, showing an utterly
foreign type of intelligence, and one, moreover, which has—owing to the existent
century-old customs of keeping them isolated in their stalls—depressed even such
intelligence as was originally theirs. Creatures of the wild seem only in exceptional
cases to prove amenable to training, however great their intelligence may be they
cannot adapt themselves to man's control, and can as a rule only imitate, seldom
revealing to us any gleam of mental alertness.
Professor Ziegler recommended a bitch which was a descendant of Rolf's and advised
me to pay a visit to Mannheim. I did so, and our interview was most satisfactory. It
lasted three-quarters of an hour, by which time I had assured myself that the dog could
answer, even though he did not tap my hand, but rapped out his remarks on a piece of
cardboard held by Fräulein Moekel. Here is the account of my visit:

"REPORT OF FRÄULEIN KINDERMANN OF HER
VISIT TO THE FAMILY OF DR. MOEKEL, IN MANNHEIM,
11 JANUARY, 1916.
"After hearing much about the 'thinking animals,' more particularly about the dog
Rolf, and having also with great enthusiasm read everything I could find on the
subject, I became obsessed with the desire to embark on this study, forming my
opinion by tests carried out myself, thus personally being in a position to approach the
subject with the requisite scientific accuracy.
"The Moekels assisted my desire with kindly and ready response, placing a
descendant of Rolf at my disposal, and allowing me to acquire some insight into their
'spelling-method' by watching Rolf at work. Here is the account of my visit:
"Rolf was brought into a room where there was no one beyond the family and myself.
Rolf ran eagerly from one to the other and jumped up at me. Holding up a little packet